Tag: World Hepatitis Day

  • Airtel Backs Global Hepatitis Fight with Health Education and Free Employee Vaccination

    Airtel Backs Global Hepatitis Fight with Health Education and Free Employee Vaccination

    As the world commemorates World Hepatitis Day, Airtel Nigeria is taking bold steps to combat the global health challenge by equipping its employees with knowledge and access. Reinforcing its ongoing commitment to employee wellness and public health advocacy, the leading telecommunications and digital services provider hosted a companywide Health Talk and announced a free hepatitis vaccination rollout across its offices across the country.

    This year’s health and wellness theme at Airtel, “Stay Aware, Get Tested, Vaccinated & Seek Treatment,” aligns with global efforts to eliminate hepatitis and underscores the company’s belief that well-informed, healthy employees are the foundation of a thriving organisation.

    In collaboration with its healthcare partner, Leadway Health, Airtel Nigeria brought together staff from across the country for an educational session titled: “Healthy Habits, Healthy Liver: Ending Hepatitis Starts with You!” Led by esteemed medical consultant Dr. Obioma Anomneze-Chima, the session offered critical insights into the causes, symptoms, and prevention of hepatitis, along with practical lifestyle habits to safeguard liver health.

    In his remarks at the programme, Airtel Nigeria CEO, Dinesh Balsingh, highlighted the company’s holistic wellbeing philosophy.

    He said, “Our people are the heart of our organisation, and when they are healthy, they bring their best selves to work. We’re not just investing in employee performance; we’re investing in their complete wellbeing. From mental wellness to preventive healthcare, our programmes are designed to offer real, meaningful support.”

    Speaking during the session, Dr. Anomneze-Chima emphasised the importance of proactive prevention and early testing,“Hepatitis doesn’t always announce itself; it creeps in quietly and can cause lifelong complications. Conversations like this help us catch it before it catches us. I applaud Airtel for giving its employees not just facts, but tools and access to protect their health.”

    Director, Human Resources and Administration, Airtel Nigeria, Adebimpe Ayo-Elias, noted that events such as the Hepatitis education and vaccination activity are a firm part of the company’s corporate mission. “This hepatitis campaign is a reminder that corporate responsibility goes beyond business metrics; it’s about actively participating in global health conversations and making a difference where it counts: among our people,” she added.

    To sustain the impact of the educational talk, Airtel Nigeria is launching a free hepatitis vaccination programme across its premises, allowing employees nationwide to get vaccinated on-site with ease. This initiative reflects the company’s human-first approach to workforce wellness—prioritising both immediate care and long-term health security.

    With this initiative, Airtel Nigeria once again demonstrates its leadership in advancing workplace wellness and health advocacy in the corporate sector. From supporting mental health through its Employee Assistance Programme (EAP) to promoting physical wellbeing with preventive screenings and vaccinations, Airtel is setting the standard for what it means to truly care for its workforce.

  • World Hepatitis Day: Increase Hepatitis Screening Centre- Cookey, LASUTH Consultant

    World Hepatitis Day: Increase Hepatitis Screening Centre- Cookey, LASUTH Consultant

    The Gastroenterology Unit of the Lagos State University Teaching Hospital (LASUTH) recently commemorated the 2021 edition of the World Hepatitis Day. Themed “Hepatitis Can’t Wait’, the department did a health walk to create awareness in the community on the essence of quick testing and management of hepatitis.

    While shedding light on the theme for the year and what it means, Dr. Cara Cookey, a Consultant Physician and Gastroenterologist in a statement said it refers to the urgency with which the world must act to eliminate the menace called hepatitis because every 30 seconds, a person dies from hepatitis related illness even in the current COVID-19 pandemic. Dr. Cookey further stated that one of the ways to achieve the theme of the World Hepatitis Day is to sensitize the general public to test and know their hepatitis status, by increasing the number of hepatitis screening centers and also by making rapid diagnostic kits readily available.

    She further disclosed that Gastroenterologists and Hematologists in Nigeria are not resting on their oars as the Society of Gastroenterology and Hepatology in Nigeria (SOGHIN) has been working tirelessly to advocate for creating awareness for the Nigerian burden of viral hepatitis; seek political will to jointly facilitate prevention, diagnosis and treatment of viral hepatitis.

    The Unit engaged in some activities to mark the day which included a courtesy visit to the Management. During the courtesy call Prof. Adetokunbo O. Fabamwo, the Chief Medical Director of LASUTH, harped on the need for health workers to pay attention to screening.

    He said that not much attention was given to the hepatitis scourge as AIDS was attended to by multinationals and international bodies; he was however grateful that attention is gradually being given to hepatitis. Prof. Fabamwo made a call for a national action that would have the same strength and empowerment as the action against HIV/AIDS, COVID-19 and Ebola.